Between the pounding hammers, raising of ladders and grinding of saws, there were voices.

The walls were talking at Dove Valley on Monday.

They were the voices of construction workers, however, not the general manager. John Elway conducted a news conference, and sticking to the NFL tradition of saying a lot without saying much, he spoke in general terms about the Broncos' endless draft possibilities.

The idea of Denver selecting an offensive lineman, possibly with its first-round pick, can't be dismissed if the team is unable to move up from the No. 31 slot. Denver's offensive line is considered a strength. But it has moving parts, explaining why adding another grunt Thursday night is a realistic scenario.

Uncertainty exists at left guard. Depending on the success of Orlando Franklin's transition to the position, the Broncos could add a center, guard or tackle and acquire a pick in the process by moving back. A good lineman is expected to be on the draft board after the 31st pick, potentially deep into the second round.

"Orlando has played well at right tackle," Elway said. "With (left tackle) Ryan Clady coming back (from a season-ending foot injury), we can look at different options. I think once we get the OTAs (organized team activities), and into training camp, we will see what we have there. But that's not going to change our mind-set going into the draft. If there's an offensive tackle or guard that's on the board that's the best player up there, we'll take them."

It could create an intriguing intersection of local interests. Colorado State center Weston Richburg is one of the highest rated interior linemen in mock drafts, bringing a résumé of toughness and versatility. He started a record 50 games for the Rams. Among the NFL teams who attended his pro-day workout in Fort Collins last month were the New York Giants, Detroit Lions, Arizona Cardinals, Green Bay Packers and New Orleans Saints, whose selections range from 43rd overall to 58th.

"If he goes late second, I wouldn't have a problem with that," ESPN draft analyst Todd McShay said of Richburg. "The game that really got me with him was Alabama. I thought he was outstanding, handling all the different looks they showed him up front. Very good football IQ. Not a road grader, but a very good zone blocker who moves well laterally, who does the little things you need to do in terms of the line calls."

While many mock drafts predict a cornerback for the Broncos in the first round, UCLA offensive lineman Xavier Su'a-Filo has been mentioned too. He doesn't have a chiseled NFL body, but possesses eye-opening power. Scouts have suggested he could be a starting guard in his rookie season.

Former general manager Bill Polian, now an ESPN analyst, said Su'a-Filo profiles for a passing team such as the Broncos. His strength, however, also allows him to move the pile in the ground attack.

"He can do anything," Polian said.

Denver's desire is to create more offensive balance, or have the option of grinding out games on the ground if necessary. Denver ranked 15th in the 32-team league in rushing last year — powered by Knowshon Moreno's legs and Peyton Manning's audibles, which created advantages against uneven fronts.

Denver will lean heavily on Montee Ball as Moreno's replacement. Keeping Manning's jersey clean remains a priority. That's why the Broncos signed free-agent center Will Montgomery. He will compete for a starting job, but it won't preclude the Broncos from adding to their inventory if they are unable to strike earlier in the draft for a linebacker or a cornerback.

"We are ready for anything," Elway said. "That is the fun thing about this draft. You really never know."

Up front is where teams exert their will. Linemen set the tone. The Broncos would like to bolster their depth on the offensive line and could opt for a familiar name when the NFL draft starts Thursday. Colorado State center Weston Richburg remains on the radar for several teams, the Broncos among them. Broncos reporter Troy E. Renck examines the top five linemen who could fit Denver's needs:

1. Weston Richburg, CSU, 6-foot-3, 298 pounds: Quick first step, aggressive, embraces big role and responsibility. Showed durability, starting a record 50 games for the Rams. Should go in the first three rounds.

2. Xavier Su'a-Filo, UCLA, 6-4, 307: Doesn't look the part, but his strength is eye-opening. Not a tackle. His power could allow him to start at guard as an NFL rookie.

3. Marcus Martin, USC, 6-3, 320: Leader, team captain, versatile enough to play guard and center. Coming off a knee injury. Not as strong as expected, given his frame.

4. Zack Martin, Notre Dame, 6-4, 308: Has steadily moved up the draft boards and would require the Broncos to trade up. He is considered an NFL-ready lineman at positions including tackle and center. The Giants are a good fit for him.

5. Cyrus Kouandjio, Alabama, 6-7, 322: Underachieved in college. He's a bulldozer in the running game. Massive potential but represents a gamble because he lacks intensity.

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